Selector mechanism for automatic phonographs



y 5, 1943. F. H. OSBORNE 5m 2,319,946

SELECTOR MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Original Filed April 11,1940 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.1

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May 25, 1943. F. H. OSBORNE EI'AL 2,319,946

SELECTOR MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONQGRAPHS Original Filed April 11,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

27.617 fl. 0550mm. (wk: 65 J? #04 L.

Patented May 25, 1943 SELECTOR MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS FredH. Osborne, Snyder, and Charles J. Hull,

Bnfialo, N. Y., assignors to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, Cincinnati,Ohio, a corporatron Original application April 11, 1940, Serial No.329,070, now Patent No. 2,287,560, dated June 23, 1942. Divided and thisapplication June 19, 1941, Serial No. 398,694

2 Claims.

This invention relates to the selector mechanism for an automaticphonograph which may be associated directly with the record changingmechanism thereof or remotely positioned with respect thereto, andwhereby any number of records may be simultaneously selected for play.This application is a division of our application,

Letters Patent No. 2,287,560, granted June 23,

1942, entitled Automatic phonograph.

The object of this feature of the invention is to provide an effectivecontrol, either localized or remote, whereby the operator of theautomatic phonograph may place as many selections as desired, eithersimultaneously in a group or individually, with the result that therecords so selected will be called out for play in turn and in the orderof their position in the magazine until all selections have beencompleted. Such mechanism has heretofore been known as a "multiselector.r 7

In such selectors, and as provided in this invention, the controlmechanism is automatically released and returned to inoperative positionupon the record selection being completed, or wherein it is desired tochange the selection or selections after having been made, they may bereturned to initial inoperative position by operating a cancellingdevice in the form of a master switch.

One feature of the invention resides in the provision of anelectrically-actuated solenoid associated with each selector switch forreleasing the switch actuator selector button upon the circuitcontrolled by said switch being closed. Thus, immediately upon theselector switchhaving performed its function in selecting the record tobe placed for reproduction, its associated solenoid will simultaneouslybe energized to open said v switch and return the selector button to itinitial inoperative position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the cancelling device ormasterswitch, which, upon manual manipulation, will close the circuitthrough all of said solenoids to eiiect the open- Another feature of theinvention resides in the mechanical structure and operation of theselector button and push rod operable to close the selector switch andbe held in switch closing position until releasedby the associatedsolenoid.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fi l is an elevational view of a selector switch and actuator inreleased position.

Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 showing the selector switch in actuatedposition and an associated wiring diagram.

Fig. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram showing electrical circuits forcontrolling the record selecting and changing mechanism.

This invention, relating to selector mechanism for an automaticphonograph, is applicable to any suitable record changer wherein therecords and record transfer mechanism are movable relative to each otherto present a selected record for reproduction. For example, reference ismade herein to a record changer as disclosed in said Letters Patent No.2,287,560, issued June 23, 1942, of which this application is adivision. However, this invention is not limited to use in connectionwith the therein disclosed record changer.

For selecting one or more records for play there is provided a selectormechanism comprising a series of record selecting switches 330, each ofsaid switches 330 controlling an independent circuit, as shown in Figs.2 and 3. In each of said circuits and in series with each of the recordselecting switches 330, there is provided a solenoid 335, a contactmember serving as a circuit controlling switch 323, and a manuallycontrolled cancelling switch 334. Each of said circuits has its sourceof power in the common secondary windings 328, 329, which in turn areenergized from a source of electric current, as shown in theabove-mentioned Letters Patent. Also, energized and operated by saidsource of current and in a separate circuit therewith, there is anglectric motor -2l and a master control switch In addition to the above,there is provided for the purpose set forth in the above-mentionedLetters Patent a control switch I45 actuated by the record changingmechanism, a cam 48 rotated in timed relation with the operation of therecord changing mechanism for effecting the opening and closing of theswitch 320. In series with the switch 320 there is provided a solenoidI34 for controlling the pawl MI in the manner and for the purpose asmore particularly set forth in the above-mentioned Letters Patent.

Slidably mounted upon a suitable panel 336 the e is a series of movablemembers in the form of push buttons 331, one for each record oftherecord changing machine to be selected for play, each of said pushbuttons being manually operable to switch closing position against theten-- sion of spring 339. One of said selector buttons is provided foreach of the series of switches 330. Said selector buttons 331 are eachmounted upon a plunger slidable through a frame 338 being normallyretained in inoperative position by the spring 339 mounted upon theplunger intermediate the frame and push button. The inner end of each ofsaid plungers is then in position to engage one element ofswitch 330 formoving it against its inherent spring tension into contacting engageme'.I; with the other member of said switch for closing the switch when inoperated position through the manual'pushing of the push button. Uponreturn of the push button and plunger when released, the inherent springtension of the switch members 330 will cause them to separate and openthe switch to break the circuit therethrough.

Immediately below each plunger there is an armature 340 in position tobe attracted by the solenoid 335, but "normally maintained in spacedrelation thereto by the spring 3. Said spring is connected at one end tothe frame 338 and at the other end to the armature. Near the end of theplunger there is provided a shoulder 342 will be opened upon thesolenoid 335 being energized.

The solenoid will become energized for open ing the selecting switchupon the circuit therethrough being completed through the contact 323.This occurs when the-record selected by the closing of the particularcircuit has been presented for play. In presenting the selected recordfor play, the shaft I2I driven by the motor 2| is rotated apredetermined distance to present the selected record. Said shaft I2Icarries with it the switch member or contact arm 321. Said arm isarranged to successively engage each of the contact members 323, therebycomprising a plurality of successively actuated circuit controllingswitches, one for each circuit controlled by a record selecting switch330. Thus, when the shaft I20 is rotated to a position to present theselected record for play, it will thereupon close the circuit throughthe corresponding record selecting switch 330 by contact of the arm 321,

This has the eifect of energizing the solenoid 330 to release theplunger, opening the corresponding record selecting switch 330 andpermit the push button 321 to be returned to its normal position.However, it will be understood that the circuit is thus closed only whenin timed relation with the proper operation of the record changer topresent the selected record for play through the control of cam 43acting W011 the switch 320, cam 48 being driven by a shaft 45 which inturn is driven by the motor 2|.

5 330 to energize their respective solenoids 335 and Further control,asset forth in said above-mentioned Letters Patent is caused by thesolenoid I34 being energized upon the closing of said circuit to releasethe pawl I4I. While said cam 48 holds the switch 320 closed, the switchI45 is closed by pressure of a suitable contact member comprising a partof the record changing mechanism, as more particularly set forth in saidLetters Patent.

In each of the circuits there is provided a manually controlledcancelling switch 334, which switch likewise has the effect of closingthe circuit throughthe solenoid 335for returning the circuit to normallyopen position and the push button to its normal position. As shown inFig. 3, there is provided a seriesof contacts, one for each circuit, sothat manual operation of switch 334 simultaneously closes each circuitand energizes each of the solenoids 335, in which the record selectingswitch 330 and the cam actuated switch 320 have been closed. Thus,assuming that a number of plungers 321 have been operated to close aselected number of switches 330, upon switches 320 or I45 being closed,the cancellingswitch may be operated to effect all .of such closedcircuits for returning them to normal open position.

The circuit contacts 323 are arranged in such record identified withsaid contact. Thus, inv

operation, in selecting a plurality of records for play, theircorrespon'ding push buttons 331 are pushed inwardly so as to be latchedin positionfor closing their respective switches 330. Said switches willremain closed, if not cancelled in the meantime, until the correspondingrecord has been presented for play by rotation of the shaft I2I.. Atthat point'shaft I2I willhave caused the arm 321 to engage the contact323. Then upon the proper timing of the mechanism for effecting recordselection, the switch 320 will be closed to complete the circuit throu hthe solenoid 335. Thereupon, the plunger will be released, the recordhaving been selected and presented for play, the switch 330 opened andthe plunger returned to normal position.

Upon the completion of the playing of the record, the shaft I2I willagain be rotated until arm 321 engages the next contact of a circuit inwhich the switch 330 has been closed, thereby eflecting the next recordselection. If, however, in the meantime selections have been made whichare not desired, and before the selection and laying of the record, thecancelling switch 334 may be manually operated to close the circuit inthe same manner as the arm 321 through its contact 323. Since suchcancelling switch 334 is common to all circuits, it will closethecircuit through all those circuits having a closed switch eflect theopening of the closed switches 330 and the return of the correspondingpush buttons 331 to normal position.

The invention claimed is:

1. A selector mechanism for automatic phonographs including a pluralityof record selecting switches, an electric circuit for each of saidswitches, a plurality of circuit controlling switches, one for eachcircuit, a movable member operable to progressively close said circuitcontrolling switches, means operable to drive said switch closingposition and movable for the release thcreof upon its associatedsolenoid bein energized.

2. A selector mechanism for automatic phonographs including a pluralityof record selectin switches, an electric circuit for each of saidswitches, a plurality of circuit controlling switches, one for eachcircuit, a movable member operable to progressively close said circuitcontrolling switches, means operable to drive said member, a springpressed manually operable plunger associated with each of said selectingswitches movable against spring tension to close its said selectingswitch, a solenoid in each of said circuits adapted to be energized uponits circuit being closed by movement of said member into position toclose its controlling switch. a latch associated with each of saidplungers normally operable to retain its associated plunger in switchclosing position and movable for the release thereof upon its associatedsolenoid being energized, and a manually controlled cancelling switchmovable to complete all circuits in which selecting switches havepreviously been closed for energizing their respective solenoids andthereby effect the opening of said closed selecting switches.

FRED H. OSBORNE.

CHARLES J. HULL.

